The procedure, called cranial nerve V and VII transfer, helps to ameliorate the disfiguring effects of severe Bell’s palsy and, to a lesser extent, certain head and neck cancers. It calls for the surgeon to reroute the patient’s robust masseter nerve—which activates the chewing muscles—in order to power the paralyzed facial nerves and restore facial muscle function, specifically the muscles involved in smiling. Read more

A new project under way at the Mount Sinai Health System aims to analyze and expand the role of the nation’s emergency medical services (EMS) to serve as a vital link in a highly coordinated system focused on the acute medical needs of the community.

On February 6, 2015, Mount Sinai Heart’s Magnet recognized nurses partnered once again with the American Heart Association and other Departments at The Mount Sinai Hospital to organize and host the annual “Go Red for Women” Community Heart Health Fair with free screenings. February is “American Heart Month” and every year for the past 13 years, Mount Sinai Heart’s nurses have been the driving force behind the Go Red for Women health screening, which is aimed at raising awareness of heart disease among women.

Heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in women. While awareness has doubled over the last 15 years, still only 56 percent of women identified heart disease as the leading cause of death in a 2012 survey by the American Heart Association.

One in three women dies from heart attack and stroke, but many of these deaths can be prevented. Women often come to the emergency room too late because they attributed their symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux or the flu.

Under the innovative agreement, which became effective January 1, 2015, Mount Sinai will manage all aspects of care for Empire’s 48,000 commercial and Medicare members who are attributed to the Health System. This includes coordinating all medical treatment, closely monitoring the patient between physician visits, and ensuring that appropriate follow-up care is received. Patients with chronic or complex conditions will receive individualized care plans tailored to their specific needs. Read more